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Huntington Disease

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Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to mental decline and behavioral disorders.

Symptoms & Treatment: Symptoms of the disease can vary Aggression, Anger, Antisocial behavior, Apathy, Depression, Excitement, Frustration. Mood stabilisers, particularly carbamazepine, may be considered as a treatment for irritability. Olanzapine can also help, along with sodium valproate and lamotrigine.The dose of carbamazepine needs to be slowly increased and any side effects monitored. Carbamazepine can't be used during pregnancy.

stats: A study released in 1999 (5) identified 380 people with definite HD in NSW in 1996, giving a prevalence of 6.29 per 100,000 population. The number of people with a 50% risk of inheriting the HD gene was estimated at 25.2 per 100,000 population.